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The Absolution of Victor Franco

Uneasy with his spirituality and looking for some level of forgiveness, Victor uses his cleaning lady and the neighbor's philanderer to unload a dark secret.

Jonathan Ratliff

Film

West Hollywood, California

United States

1 Team Member

JONATHAN RATLIFF (Writer/Producer/Director)

For 7 years I have worked as a producer and writer reporting on and reviewing movies, interviewing the stars and filmmakers, and sitting in theaters all around Los Angeles watching some really great films – both big and small. I’m happiest when I’m in that screening room watching an incredible story being told. Now, I want my turn to tell the tales that I’ve been coming up with for years now, and I’m starting with “The Absolution of Victor Franco.”

My
favorite movies are the small indies that combine emotional drama and humor,
because it’s exactly how we are as humans.
We laugh at funerals and cry when we’re happy. Our emotions can be awkward and strange and
inappropriate, but that’s what makes us interesting. This short film will have those same
sensibilities.

Victor
Franco is unique. In his 70s, he’s
Archie Bunker light, with a good heart, and a dark secret. A secret he wants to confess before he ends
his own life. With a gun and a bible at
the bedside, Victor takes one last shot at talking to the man upstairs, but has
always had trouble in the spirituality department. So he figures the best way
to get even close to absolving his sins will need to be the people closest to him. With no family to speak of, he chooses two
people who have secrets of their own to deal with. Secrets Victor knows all about. And so sitting around his dining room table,
Victor’s cleaning lady, Yolanda, and Marcus, the man who’s been sneaking in and out
of the house next door as he cheats on his wife, must listen to what Victor did
so many years ago that has eaten at him his entire life. In the course of hearing this man’s story,
hearing him say offensive things, making them laugh, making them cry, and telling
the truth, they realize they must also deal with the sins they’ve allowed to
control their lives. But now they’re
faced with leaving this man alone knowing what he wants to do, and knowing what
he has already done. They return to
their own lives, to fix things, and will always know they were part of the
absolution of Victor Franco.

Pulling together talented people who I’ve crossed paths
throughout the last ten years will not be the problem. What is needed is the financing to arm them
with the tools they need to create the best possible product. My job as producer is to raise $15,000. Now, that sounds like an incredible amount of
money for a short film. But what that
does is cover the entire production process, our film festival entries, and all
marketing and promotion of the final product.
If we’re all putting in time and effort, we want people to see it!

PRE-PRODUCTION: Costs will include casting, finding
costumes, securing locations, insurance, and a bunch of boring paperwork you
don’t want to hear about.

DURING FILMING: Your support will pay for the fine
talented folks you will meet as they are added to the crew. I will be keeping it small and not over
staffing just to fill a section in the credits.
The script isn’t ambitious enough to need special effects artists or
stuntmen. It’s intriguing enough to need
people who will help capture that fine balance of comedy, humor, heartache, and
fun.

POST-PRODUCTION: Costs will be used to edit the movie,
any graphic treatments need, sound mixing, and original music. I want “The Absolution of Victor Franco” to
have its own unique sound.

FILM FESTIVALS: The film will also be submitted to film festivals of all
sizes, like Sundance, South by Southwest, Tribeca, and some select international
fests as well.

And, of course, I will use this film as a calling card
for more shorts and potentially feature length films. Hollywood execs are visual people. Having something like this film to cart in front
of them could mean even more films to come.

For you, the most crucial piece in
getting this project completed, we have designed some modest perks for helping
us produce the film. Without a wealthy
celeb at the helm to offer incredible perks, we hope you will enjoy what we
have come up with for our short film to thank you for your support.

DENNIS TRACY - "Victor Franco"

DIANA DELACRUZ - "Yolanda"

JOHN IERARDI - "Marcus"

ZACK SAYERNO - "Shane"

RAY TORRES - "Ray"

KATHARINE GOODENOW - "Young Sally"

JAYNE SHAYNE - "Sally"

JULIE CLARK - "Marcus' Wife"

DANIEL FISHER - "Young Marcus"

FORREST STANGEL (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

I have worked with Forrest for
many years. We have filmed and produced projects together for ReelzChannel,
L.A. Times, and now with my own company, Ratliff Entertainment. Some have involved many A-list filmmakers
like George Clooney, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and David Fincher. We’ve been together in the trenches at film
festivals, Comic-Con, and even on a shark diving expedition filming a Discovery
Channel Shark Week sponsored show. We
are now taking on the adventure of creating a film together. Forrest’s talent
at capturing a scene is exactly what is needed when you’re making a low budget
short film and making your contribution worthwhile. He will make our film look like a million
dollar product.

MELISSA CHATAIGNE (COSTUME DESIGNER)

A Chicago native (yes, a Bears
fan), Melissa is a fashion and style expert who has dressed celebs like Lindsay
Lohan, Shiloh Fernandez (“Red Riding Hood,” “The East”), and Niecy Nash. She
also serves as the fashion writer/producer for my entertainment website,
TheSevenSees.com. And she has done
costumes for several low budget films that have challenged her creativity and
budget. Having known Melissa for a few
years, and working closely with her on various projects, she is going to
capture the style of Victor, Yolanda, and Marcus perfectly.

GERRAD HALL (UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER)

Gerrad is the man behind the money of this film. He is helping manage our budget, including helping oversee this campaign, and making sure everything that needs paid for will be paid for. Not to mention keeping control of unnecessary waste, which needs to be watched closely on a small project like this.

TIM MURDOCK (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER)

Tim unknowingly got involved in the film by being an incredible supporter of the project. He directed our attention to potential actors, one of which, John Ierardi, is now playing one of the lead roles. He's also been active in helping us secure locations, and didn't hesitate to contribute to the campaign as well.

JOSUE ROJAS (Sound Mixer)

Josue is a master at sound design and has worked with some of the team on previous projects. He brings incredible experience and a sharp ear to the production.

MORE TO COME AS WE PROCEED INTO PRE-PRODUCTION...

#WhatDidVictorFrancoDo

If anyone can relate to not always being able to
contribute financially, it’s me. But
that’s the great thing about community. It’s what makes this campaign possible,
and what makes getting the word out to others possible. If you like the idea of our film and want to
see it completed, spread the word of our fundraising page and short film to
others on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, via carrier pigeon, sky writing,
however you can. Even right here on
Indiegogo there are share options. We
would love your promotional support!

Thank you all for taking the time to consider supporting
this project. Whether you donate,
promote, or send good vibes, we appreciate every bit.

The perks that correspond with each contribution
level will be sent out after the film is completed.

* If you have pledged $50 or
more, please note that the watermarked PDF Scripts will be sent to you once the
films has been completed. This script may not be distributed, published, reproduced
in any capacity, or sold at any time.

* T-Shirts will be basic cotton tees. You will choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL,
XXL), but there is only one design. So
all of them will look the same.

* If you live outside the United States, please
add the add $10 for international shipping for t-shirt only level
contributions. When the coffee mug is in
the mix, please add $15 for international shipping to your contribution.

* Associate Producer and Executive Producer
titles are credit only. You will have no
input into the production or creative process of the making of the film.

* Executive Producer contribution includes an
invite to a special screening. The plans
for this event will be revealed once they are made and confirmed, following the
completion of the film. If you choose
this perk, you will be responsible for travel and lodging costs to and while in
Los Angeles. You will receive VIP treatment during the special screening event.

Flexible FundingThis campaign has ended and will receive all funds raised.

Campaign Closed

This campaign ended on October 2, 2013

Select a Perk

$10USD

OFFICIAL BACKER!

You are an official backer!
During production, you will receive daily exclusive electronic updates of the project. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

6
claimed

$25USD

BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS

During production, you will receive daily exclusive electronic updates of the project and behind-the-scenes pics and messages from the set. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

8
claimed

$50USD

OWN THE SCRIPT

In addition to the daily electronic updates and behind-the-scenes pics from the set, we’ll also send you a PDF version of the script with a personal note from the cast and crew. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

4
claimed

$75USD

VIDEO DIARY

Get the updates, behind-the-scenes pics from set, a PDF version of the script, AND exclusive video diary clips featuring the cast and crew during production. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

3
claimed

$100USD

HOLD THE KEYS TO THE PLOT

For this contribution you will get the daily electronic updates, the behind-the-scenes pics from set, a PDF version of the script, the video blogs, AND a special keychain that is relevant to the film’s plot. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

8
claimed

$200USD

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF THE FILM

You’ll get all the previous things mentioned (updates, pics, script, video diary clips, the keychain) AND a download link to the completed film. In the movie credits, “Special Thanks To Our Indiegogo Supporters” means you!

2
claimed

$250USD

STAY FOR THE CREDITS

Get the updates, behind-the-scene pics, video blogs, keychain, a digital copy of the completed film, PDF copy of the script, and YOUR NAME in the “Special Thanks” section of the movie’s credits. Plus bragging rights and proof that you helped finance a film.

3
claimed

$350USD

VICTOR FRANCO SWAG

You’ll get all the goodies listed in the $250 level plus a “What Did Victor Franco Do?” t-shirt and, remember, your name in the “Special Thanks” section of the movie’s credits.
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $10 for international shipping.

0
claimed

$500USD

DRINK LIKE VICTOR FRANCO

Get the updates, behind-the-scene pics, video blogs, keychain, a digital copy of the completed film, PDF copy of the script, your name in the “Special Thanks” part of the end credits, the “What Did Victor Franco Do?” swag which includes the t-shirt AND a coffee mug that correlates to the BIG scene in the film.
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $15 for international shipping.

2
claimed

$600USD

BE IN THE MOVIE!

ONE PERSON CAN GET A SPEAKING ROLE IN THE MOVIE!
If you are the lucky one to contribute at this level, you will be given a one line role in the film opposite our lead character. The scene will film on Sunday September 8th in Los Angeles. You will be responsible for travel and lodging, but we will provide transportation to and from the airport and/or hotel.

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out of 1
claimed

$750USD

HOME ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE

Along with the complete goodies package in the $500 contribution level, here you will also get a DVD copy of the film to own and watch with pride whenever you want in the privacy of your own home. Invite your friends over and show them what you helped create.
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $15 for international shipping.

0
claimed

$1,000USD

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

You are an official producer of this film!
The complete goodies package will be yours including the DVD of the film and you will now officially be titled an Associate Producer of the movie, and will appear in the end credits of the film accordingly.
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $15 for international shipping.

0
out of 3
claimed

$2,000USD

PRODUCTION YEARBOOK

In addition to the updates, behind-the-scene pics, video blogs, keychain, a digital copy of the completed film, PDF copy of the script, the “What Did Victor Franco Do?” swag, and Associate Producer title on the film, those who contribute here will get an exclusive production yearbook featuring pictures, stories, and personal notes from the cast and crew.
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $15 for international shipping.

0
out of 3
claimed

$5,000USD

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

You are an official Executive Producer on this film!
Yes, you will get everything mentioned in the previous contribution levels, but more importantly you will be listed as an Executive Producer in the end credits of the film. You will also be invited to a special screening of the film in Los Angeles. (you will be responsible for travel and lodging)
**You choose the t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL), all designs are the same.
**Add $15 for international shipping.